Langdon Beck Hotel

Just spent the weekend at the Langdon Beck Hotel for Dad's wedding reception. Only a stones throw from High Force, the highest waterfall in the country, this place is really the dream. Roaring log fires in the bar, hearty grub, great beer, a geology/education room whose walls are lined with mineral samples in wood and glass cabinets, a complete collection of National Geographics going back to the Sixties and a 'top shelf' consisting of single malt as far as the eye can see. Friendly staff (thanks again!) and amazing location too. Some pictures from the trip (thanks again to Mrs PR):

The 'Beck in 1934 - hasn't changed since. Incidentally my great grandparents spent their honeymoon here in 1939. They were due to go to Blackpool but then the war broke out so they stayed a bit more local.

Book at my Grandad's house.

Daniel Wellington

I have a job that takes me to the occasional trade show - which is not usually relevant to Pastoral Review - but on a recent excursion to Birmingham I came across Daniel Wellington. They are just launching in the UK, and hoping to exploit a gap in the market for preppy watches, with neat styling and jolly, university stripe NATO straps. Their stand was staffed by Nordic demigods like a Scandi Abercrombie & Fitch. I've already seen a bit of buzz about these guys so definitely one to, ahem, watch. Full range and twee story about the real Daniel Wellington here.

Shackleton Epic

While we're all hibernating in the northern hemisphere, now is the perfect time of year to be embarking on a historic reenactment of Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition; which is exactly what explorer Tim Jarvis and his Shackleton Epic crew are up to right now. Using authentic 1914 equipment and clothing, the team are recreating the original route of Shackleton's failed voyage in Endurance and his subsequent inland march over South Georgia to get help for the surviving doomed crew members. These chaps will be enjoying Mackinlay's limited edition Sahckleton Scotch, North Sea Clothing's lovely wooly jumpers, and looking like a Nigel Cabourn shoot for the next few weeks. You can follow their progress as well as filling yourself in on the rest of the background here. Pics below taken from their online gallery: